Basic Requirements for Professional Translators
What are the essential requirements for professional translators? In my opinion, to be a professional translator, professional skills, consciousness of responsibility and extensive knowledge are the basic requirements.
1. Professional Skills
As the first basic requirement for a translator, professional skills consist of bi-lingual language capability, familiarity with one discipline and the skill of using translation tools or search engine.
Bi-lingual language capability refers to the proficiency of one or more foreign languages (including bilingual reading and comprehension ability, writing skills and capability and the abilty of oral expression, etc.) and the mastering of one’s mother tongue.
Familiarity with one discipline means proficiency in one or more professional field, for example, IT, machinery, electronics, communication, medicine, law, finance, etc.
The skill of using translation tools or search engine refers to the capabilities of appropriate tools, software that are needed for work, and the ability to search for necessary information of the internet.
2. Consciousness of Responsibility
It is quiet important for a translator to have the consciousness of responsibility, which consists of the passion for translation, ability of communication and cooperation, and professional integrity.
The passion for translation refers to the serious attitude towards work, strong sense of responsibility and time sense. If also refers to finish the translation work in accordance with the requirements in quality, quantity and time limit.
Good communication and cooperation skills are essential factors for translators, especially for those working for translation companies where one or two or more teams need to work with one project. Then it is quite important for translators to actively and efficiently communicate with other translators or projector managers so as to solve problems and ensure the successful completion of the project.
Good career integrity refers to the moral discipline and sense of confidentiality of a translator: he or she shall not reveal the source and target translation document to any other individuals, groups or organizations.
3. Extensive Knowledge
How can you keep the sensibility of appreciate the beauty of languages after working with thousands of words? How can you separate the “good” expressions or articles from “bad” ones? How can you improve your translation ability as you deal with various materials? How can you accumulate necessary knowledge and information for further development? The only way is reading more and learning more and making conclusion.
It’s a long way for you to go before you climb to the top the mountain of translation. When you start your travel, remember to take the above skills and capabilities with you.